Iowans helping Sherpas after deadly avalanche in Nepal

A group of Iowa climbers has been watching the aftermath of a deadly avalanche in Nepal closely. Now they're hoping to help the mountain guides who have helped them up Mount Everest twice in the past three years.

Last week's avalanche killed 16 Sherpas, and the news hit close to home for an oncologist at Mercy Cancer Center in Des Moines. Dr. Richard Deming has a passion for helping cancer survivors through his nonprofit called Above and Beyond Cancer. That passion has led to a friendship with a Sherpa family a world away.

Deming has taken 32 cancer survivors to climb Everest, a feat possible only with the help of expert climbers from an ethnic group in Nepal called Sherpas. Deming said the Sherpas and cancer survivors groups form an incredible bond during the trips and when he heard news of the 16 dead in the avalanche, he held his breath and wondered if his friend Lahkpa was among the dead.

Lahkpa was head Sherpa for the cancer survivors’ first trip in 2011. Deming had no idea that trip would be the beginning of a lifelong friendship with Lahkpa forged by cancer.

"Three months after we're back from Nepal I got a call from Lahkpa, our head Sherpa. He says, 'Dr. Dick, Dr. Dick, AngLahkpa has leukemia!'" Deming said.

AngLahkpa is Lahkpa's wife and was also one of the Sherpa guides for the cancer survivors on their 2011 trip.

Deming knew AngLahkpa's form of leukemia was incurable, but could be controlled with an oral medication. The problem is, without insurance, the medication costs $40,000 a year. So Deming called the drug manufacturer and arranged for the drug to be provided free of charge. Above and Beyond Cancer also sends funds each month so she can fly in a plane to Kathmandu. Her only other option would be to make the two week walk.

Lahkpa and AngLahkpa were not among those killed in the avalanche, but Above and Beyond will still be sending financial support to the Sherpa community because if climbing season is canceled many families including Lahkpa's will lose a significant portion of their annual income.

During the three-month climbing period, Sherpa guides can make the equivalent of $5,000, which is more than six times the per capital income in Nepal.

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